Chapter 111: Pegasi

Chapter 111: Pegasi

The air surrounding all the pegasi rippled as they all started commanding it to follow their whims. Part of me was glad this would be an interesting challenge against so many [Wind Magic] users, but on the flip side, it would have been so much simpler to handle all these flying horses if they tried to fight with their hooves.

With a burst of speed they clearly didn't expect, I charged directly toward the nearest pegasus, throwing my armor into storage and turning into a gelatinous flying maw as I engulfed it midflight before it could escape. Chaos erupted from the rest of the pegasi, startled by what had happened. They all became much more flighty and panicky as they formed their magic. I regretted not trying to grab multiple in that first charge, as I doubted they'd let me get within close range again.

The captured horse was already dissolved, so I could try evading any wind blades coming at me as I shrunk down from a giant blob with random wings back to a more refined form. I felt [Tranquil Flow] trigger as per my previous order and found myself again in the strange trance as I freely started eluding the incoming wind blades.

It was a shame I hadn't yet acquired lightning magic, a skill I had seen prove effective against swift foes. However, as indicated by their profile, their lack of enhanced ice resistance presented a prime opportunity for me to hone my [Ice Magic]. I commanded my [Sub-Cores] to pair up and cast [Frigid] on each pegasus while Alpha remained at my side, ready to assist. Together, we unleashed a relentless barrage of [Icicle] spells in retaliation.

As I watched the pegasi deftly dodge my spells, a wave of discouragement washed over me. I couldn't help but wish I had more offensive spell constructs at my disposal, a feeling of frustration and determination mingling within me.

'I currently have various projectile shapes, but they don't differ too greatly in the grand scheme. I have a close-range damage burst, a dust that applies ailments, an explosive projectile, and... Whatever I can classify [Torrent] as.'

'There's some component in my debuff spells that lets me apply them from visual range, as long as I overcome their resistance. Sort of like a perception-based attack? Although it must be a very high-level concept if I can't even determine what or where it is in the spell construct, let alone try to understand it or utilize it. Then, I could apply afflictions the same way or maybe even make a fireball explosion spontaneously appear in a spot. Now that would be awesome.'

Aside from the [Frigid] debuff being applied rapidly to each and every damn flying horse, the fight was feeling a bit like a stalemate. I couldn't hit them, and they couldn't hit me.

I tried to see if I could cast [Ice Dome] on one of the pegasi, but the spell fizzled. I knew it was likely because the spell was technically still classified as a buff, which the system self-managed to only apply if it was determined to be beneficial or, at the minimum, non-harmful, which clearly was not the case here as I imagined it would have surrounded a pegasus and cause both to be forced subjects to the whims of gravity.

I had only the briefest of chats with Evan over the explanation of buffs, as I didn't find myself that interested in them at the time as there were so many weird rules around them, like if the target person determined you as hostile, then they could automatically deny a buff being cast by you. At the time, it made me wonder why the inverse [Bubble] worked on the nature boar, and I could only guess it was because the system didn't determine it as harmful, and the boar was too stupid to deny a so-called buff. Although to be fair, it was raging at the time and likely wasn't thinking anything other than kill kill kill.

I noticed the pegasi were doing something to break the stalemate, seeing a large vortex of mana swirling around me controlled by a group of four working together far out of range. I tried flying further, but they shifted the vortex along with me. I could swear the stupid horses laughed at me as they made various noises and even curled their upper lip at me mockingly. But it didn't seem to be doing anything, and eventually, the other horses even stopped firing blades of wind at me, and all just joined in on the mockery.

"Oooh. Looks like they got you good. You're totally caught in their ultimate trap." Trixie said, laced with sarcasm and bored mockery, as she appeared by my side from who knows where.

I shifted enough to speak but failed to; only a strange sound came out, which became softer and softer with each attempt.

"Use your head. I'm talking to you telepathically." She answered.

"Oh," I replied mentally, not expecting it. "What's this trap? Other than not allowing me to talk."

"They've stolen almost all the air around you. You'd probably have noticed it sooner if you didn't have what looks like [Enchanted Wings]." Trixie answered, "They think they will suffocate you, which is absolutely hilarious, by the way."

"Oh... Yeah, us slimes don't breathe."

The last of the [Frigid] spells had been cast now, and now it was time for a barrage of [Icicle] spells so large it couldn't be avoided. It started out with six tiny magic circles being formed, which then split into twelve.

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Trixie somehow whistled in our mental conversation, "Very nice usage of spell splitting..."

Then twelve became eighteen, and I could hear the audible gasp echo in my mind from the pixie. Then, the hailstorm was unleashed as I magically fired the barrage of spells. The look of utter panic from the pegasi was a sight to behold, and they frantically began taking action, some even hiding behind their allies.

As if she could read my mind, she responded, "Not all skills will be winners, and I bet any human would love whatever you are mocking."

I groaned while feeling a little concerned that she read me so easily. I tried thinking about whether she could read minds, but she didn't say anything, so my suspicion received no confirmation or denial.

"I'm surprised there are so many of these damn horses. Surely the island doesn't spawn this many naturally?" I asked Trixie while cleaning up some of the last remaining ones.

"If you go to the giant tree, you'll get your answer," Trixie answered cryptically. "And you'll need to if you hope to spawn your yellow slime."

"Let me guess, I'm going to have to deal with a lot more of these damn horses?" I said, sighing.

"Yes, and the sooner, the better," Trixie said, sitting on my head again. I wanted to protest, but I still found myself unable to deal with the pixie.

"Ugh... I wonder if I could get my next level in [Ice Magic] before then. I need something to deal with them better."

Trixie smiled, "Well... If you do me a favor, I'll help you."

"Help me how?" I questioned, then quickly added, "And it depends on the favor."

"I could hide your projectiles from their vision, but only against the pegasi since they are annoying and disgusting. The rest you need to handle yourself." Trixie stated.

I remained silent for a while, hoping she would explain who or what the others were, but she instead started humming while waiting for my answer.

"And the favor?" I eventually asked.

"It's nothing big, and if you want your yellow slime, you'd need to deal with her anyway. The other one messing with the essence on this island is a real bitch, and I want you to kill her for me." Trixie said with an attitude that was as if asking to borrow a cup of sugar.

"Really? Who and why?" I probed for more information.

"I won't spoil the surprise, but she is another type of spirit. From what I can tell, you're directly suited to counter her completely." Trixie answered, giving an evil smirk that looked a little misplaced on the bubbly pixie, "As for why... Well, she's been here for a long time and no way she didn't know I was trapped here, too. So she left me to suffer for years without help, so she deserves to die."

"A little harsh, don't you think?"

"I think when you meet her, you'll agree with me. She's a real bitch." Trixie giggled, "Anyway, I can promise you as long as she is here, you won't get your yellow slime to spawn."

"Can't I just ask her to leave?" I asked.

"Ha! That's a good one. She'll attack you for even suggesting it." Trixie giggled. "Tell you what. You can try telling her to leave, but the deal is that once the fighting starts, you don't show her any mercy."

"Alright then... I'll agree to that," I answered, to which Trixie happily started petting my head and humming a whimsical tune. You'd swear she hadn't just asked me to kill someone for her.